Laurie Stubbe

Laura Denise Stubbe was born on December 21, 1962, in Waseca, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Roger and Joyce Stubbe, and had one older sister, Sandra Kay Varberg. Soon after birth, she was diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome.

The story of Laurie’s life is a testimony to God’s amazing love, care and timing. At the age of two years, she moved with her family to Costa Rica to learn Spanish, and then they moved to Ecuador where they served as missionaries with Radio Station HCJB.

At the age of 8, a missionary teacher noticed Laurie’s potential for learning and offered to take her as a kindergarten student. After a year of kindergarten, the family moved to Quito, and Laurie entered the Special Education program at the Alliance Academy, a school for missionary children. This was the first year that the Special Ed program was offered at that school.

At the age of 12, she chose to be baptized as a testimony of her faith in Jesus Christ. This was done at the English Fellowship Church in Quito, Ecuador. Laurie loved to go to church. She attended the early Spanish-speaking church on Sunday mornings, and then went to English-speaking church. Both were within walking distance of her home.

When her family spent their furlough time in the Pella, Iowa, area, she attended classes at the Christian Opportunity Center. Later she was able to benefit from COC’s services while living with the Laverman family at Sully for a time. After she returned to Quito and received a certificate from the Special Education program at the Alliance Academy, she took up permanent residence at COC in 1988.

Laurie had many friends from various countries around the world. When she was still small, she made the comment, “I love everybody, and everybody loves me.” She was very generous with her hugs, and her bubbly laugh was contagious.

While in Ecuador, Laurie had a profitable cake business. She would make multiple cakes each day, some of which were sold by the piece at a local grocery store. Others filled special orders from people in the area.

After moving to the States, she took up counted cross stitch on canvas and made many coasters and boxes which she delighted in giving away as gifts to friends.

During her years at COC, she worked in housekeeping and other jobs at local businesses and later worked in the sheltered workshop at COC.

During her early years in Pella, she attended Nazarene Church. Later, she attended Liberty Evangelical Free Church. She had many friends there who influenced her life greatly.

Those who will miss her presence the most are her parents, Roger and Joyce Stubbe; her sister and brother-in-law, Sandra and Dan Varberg; and her nephews and their wives: Zachary and Heidi Varberg, Micah and Hannah Varberg, and Caleb and Heidi Varberg.

Services will be held in George, Iowa, by Jurrens Funeral Home. 

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